Saudi Stock Value Market Exceeds $2.13 Trillion

Investors monitor a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) (Reuters)
Investors monitor a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) (Reuters)
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Saudi Stock Value Market Exceeds $2.13 Trillion

Investors monitor a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) (Reuters)
Investors monitor a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) (Reuters)

The market value of Saudi stocks exceeded $2.13 trillion dollars driven by 200 points increase in the market index, as a jump in oil prices and positive corporate earnings from the banking sector boosted the stocks.

Saudi Aramco closed at 1.3 percent at 32.35 riyals above its initial public offering price of $8.6, for the first time in 70 days.

The shares of 138 listed companies closed positively on Monday and cash liquidity jumped to levels close to $1.36 billion registering a 27-percent increase compared to Sunday.

Saudi Arabia's index surged 1.4 percent, a 96-points increase, amid active trading compared to the previous sessions.

Meanwhile, about 80 Saudi companies listed in the local market announced their financial results for Q1 of 2020, with 44 companies recording an improvement in their performance, compared to 36 companies that have seen a decline.

The remaining 100 companies are expected to announce their financial results soon, which will affect their shares during the announcement period.

Oil prices climbed on Monday, supported by output cuts and signs of gradual demand recovery amid easing coronavirus curbs and resumption of economic activity.

The booming oil markets also influenced the Saudi stock, as Brent crude jumped 6.1 percent at $34.49 a barrel, while Nimex had a 9 percent increase, exceeding $32 a barrel.

Notably, Saudi index is approaching the 7000-point barrier as traders hope that the market index will exceed this barrier before closing for Eid el-Fitr, backed by the oil prices, given that they improve or maintain the same current levels.



Iraq Seeks US Investment in Gas as New Projects Target Energy Independence

Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)
Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)
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Iraq Seeks US Investment in Gas as New Projects Target Energy Independence

Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)
Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)

Iraq plans to offer 10 gas exploration blocks to US companies during an upcoming visit by Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani to the United States, he announced on Saturday.
The move is part of Baghdad's efforts to attract US investment into its energy sector, following previous licensing rounds where Chinese firms secured the majority of available fields.
The 10 gas blocks, left unclaimed following six licensing rounds, will be presented in a new bidding process, Iraqi state media said, and comes as Iraq seeks to bolster its domestic gas production.
Abdel-Ghani also said Iraq will launch a new gas investment project by the end of the year at the Al-Faihaa oil field in southern Iraq. The project, with a capacity of 125 million standard cubic feet (mscf), is a key component of Iraq's strategy to enhance its energy infrastructure.
The latest initiative follows recent agreements to develop 13 oil and gas blocks, aimed at increasing Iraq's crude and gas output to supply power plants, which currently rely heavily on Iranian gas imports.